Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms are frequently overlooked because of
their subtle nature. The parts of the body affected by early amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis symptoms depend on which muscles in the body are damaged
first. In some cases, symptoms initially affect one of the legs, and patients
experience awkwardness when walking or running or they notice that they are
tripping or stumbling more often. Some patients first see the effects of the
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on a hand or arm as they experience difficulty
with simple tasks requiring manual dexterity. To be diagnosed with amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis, patients must experience symptoms of both upper and lower
motor neuron damage that cannot be attributed to other causes.
Early Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms may include:
- speech problems, slurred and nasal speech
- muscle twitching, cramping, or stiffness
- weakness affecting an arm or a leg muscles
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle
weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease
progresses. Patients have increasing problems with moving, swallowing, and
speaking or forming words. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis symptoms of upper motor
neuron involvement include tight and stiff muscles, spasticity and exaggerated
reflexes, hyperreflexia, including an overactive gag reflex. An
abnormal reflex commonly called Babinski's sign where the large toe extends
upward as the sole of the foot is stimulated in a certain way, also indicates
upper motor neuron damage. Symptoms of lower motor neuron degeneration include
muscle weakness and atrophy, muscle cramps, and fleeting twitches of muscles
that can be seen under the skin.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms and the rate of the disease progression
vary from person to person, eventually patients will not be able to stand or
walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and arms. Difficulty
swallowing and chewing impair the patient's ability to eat normally and increase
the risk of choking. Maintaining weight will then become a problem. Because the
disease usually does not affect cognitive abilities, patients are aware of their
progressive loss of function and may become anxious and depressed. A small
percentage of patients may experience problems with memory or decision-making,
and there is growing evidence that some may even develop a form of dementia.
Health care professionals need to explain the course of the disease and describe
available treatment options so that patients can make informed decisions in
advance. In later stages of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, patients have
difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken. Patients
eventually lose the ability to breathe on their own and must depend on
ventilator support for survival. Patients also face an increased risk of
pneumonia during later stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms.
See your doctor if you've noticed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptoms such
as weakness in one of your limbs or twitching and cramping in your muscles. The
sooner a diagnosis and treatment can be made the better.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms to A
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